Cleveland State University expects to lose $17 million in state support, could trigger layoffs and other cuts
Published: Friday, December 17, 2010, 5:00 AM
Karen Farkas, The Plain Dealer By Karen Farkas, The Plain DealerCleveland State University unveils student centerView full sizeGus Chan, Plain Dealer fileCleveland State University, like other public colleges and universities, is developing ideas to cope with an expected drop in state aid.

Cleveland State University is looking for new ways to raise revenue and cut expenses to counter an expected $17-million drop in state support next year.

Everything is on the table and all suggestions are welcome, Provost Geoffrey Mearns told about 300 faculty and staff on Thursday during a meeting in Fenn Tower.

"We're looking for creative, innovative ideas to increase revenue," he said. "We will not do across-the-board cuts, but will look at them from a strategic standpoint."

The university's current financial health is very good, but Ohio's next biennial budget is expected to have an $8 billion shortfall and cuts to higher education are inevitable, Mearns said.

The university is reluctant to raise tuition, he said, predicting layoffs are likely because of the expected magnitude of the cuts.

About $73 million, or 34 percent, of CSU's current $210 million annual budget is provided by the state. The university is projecting about 25 percent of that will be lost.

Universities have already adjusted this year's budget after they were notified this fall that the 12th monthly payment for state instructional support, due in June of 2011, would be paid in July so it could be included in the new budget. Mearns said no one at CSU expects its monthly payment, about $5 million, will ever be paid.

Kent State University announced Wednesday that it is restricting hiring and looking at ways to cut its budget for next year. It plans to solicit ideas from faculty, staff and students. University of Akron officials are also making plans to absorb cuts in state funding, developing scenarios based on reductions of from 5 percent to 25 percent.

Governor-elect John Kasich has until March 15 to deliver his budget proposals, but university officials have said they have to start planning now.

Suggestions at the CSU forum on Thursday included offering more online courses, reducing energy costs, seeking community support by selling education bonds and looking at the organizational structure of the colleges to reduce duplication of services.

USF Sells Off KUSF, Its College Radio Station, Escorts Staff Out
By Erin Sherbert
published: Tue., Jan. 18 2011 @ 1:37PM
kusf.jpg
Black Out
USF officials abruptly shut the doors to KUSF, the college's well-known indie radio station today, locking out students and DJs with no notice.

Security guards walked into the station on campus this morning in the middle of a show and ordered everyone out, according to one student DJ. The university then shut down the station, and allowed staff to go back inside and get their things.

While collecting his stuff, Chad Heimann, a junior and student DJ, picked up a call from SF Weekly.

"It's shitty," he said. "Security guards are kicking us out."

Students were shocked to learn that the The University of San Francisco quietly sold the college station -- 90.3 FM -- to a classical public radio network, which is launching a noncommercial classical music station in the Bay Area.

"It's a huge surprise," said one volunteer, who did not want to use his name. "Now university students have lost their voice."

KUSF will still remain as an online radio station, and all staff will be offered similar positions at KUSF.org. University officials defended the move, saying that the online format will give the station more capacity to accommodate "thousands" of listeners as opposed to the 100 listeners it is now limited to, according to the university.

The station has already "gone dark," as the university works to transition over the next few days.

KUSF staff, which includes community members and students, is already making plans to fight back. Volunteers and students are meeting tomorrow night to plan a demonstration at the university.

Station volunteers and DJs were told a few days ago that the station would be relocating to a new space on campus, but nobody said anything about it being sold and turned into an Internet radio station.

"It's not like you can drive around in the car listening to us anymore," Heimann said.

I hope WCSB is protected in someway from something like this happening??

This situation is the best reason to give to Radiothon if you appreciate WCSB. If we are self-sufficient we will have a much better chance of surviving slash and burn budgets. If you missed the official Radiothon Week in November, there is no need to worry as you can donate anytime and it will go to the station if you designate it to WCSB. Here is how to do it now:
[www.wcsb.org]